Error while processing transient dependencies

Spring Android 1.0.0.M4 is built against the Android Rome Feed Reader. This version of ROME is not available in the Maven Central repository, so in order to use it you have to include the repository information in your POM. The Spring Android Showcase client does not contain any ROME samples, as these are included in a separate sample project. Normally, this would mean that you do not have to include the repository reference for that library. With the previous version of the Maven Android Plugin, the project built correctly without having to include the repository reference. However, it seems that the 3.0.0-alpha-13 release of the Android Maven Plugin tries to download all dependencies, even optional ones. If you do not include the ROME repository, then the build fails with the following error.

Android Configurator for M2E

The Android Configurator for M2E has also undergone a name change since I last blogged about the Maven Android plugins. Previously, it was called Maven Integration for Android Development Tools. The latest version of the Android Configurator now supports Android SDK r14.

Install the Plugin

You can install the configurator from the Eclipse Marketplace. If you are using SpringSource Tool Suite (STS), then you can install the Eclipse Marketplace from the Extensions tab on the Dashboard. It is located under the Utilities section. Otherwise, if you are using a different version of Eclipse 3.7, the Eclipse Marketplace is available from the Indigo download site.

Install the Eclipse Marketplace client.

From the Eclipse Marketplace, search for Android Configurator.

Click the Install button to install the Android Configurator.

The configuration will install the Android ADT if you do not already have it installed.

m2e - Maven Integration for Eclipse

One thing to note, is that the m2e - Maven Integration for Eclipse plugin is not automatically installed with the configurator. If you are using STS 2.8.0, then the m2e plugin is already installed. If not, then you can follow the previous steps above to also install the m2e plugin from the Eclipse Marketplace before importing your Android projects.

Import Your Project into Eclipse

Once the required Eclipse plugins are installed, you can import your Android project. If you have an existing POM file, then simply import the project as an Existing Maven Project and point to your POM. If you had previously been working on your project with the older versions of the Maven plugins, then you will need to update your project.

Right-click on your project from within the Eclipse Package Explorer.

Select the Maven context menu and Update Project Configuration...

Verify your project is selected in the Available Maven Codebases, and click OK.

Conclusion

The Maven plugins are powerful tools for use in building your Android projects, and these plugins will continue to evolve and mature with the help of the community. The Spring Android Samples have been updated to work with these latest plugins, so please pull the latest versions and review the changes. Additionally, the Android Maven Plugin and Android Configurator for m2e are on GitHub, and they welcome your feedback and pull requests!